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WINTER 2026 RETREAT
Client Guide
WELCOME HOME
Casa Retreats Welcome
COSTA RICA · WINTER 2026
Welcome to Casa.
JANUARY 19–25, 2026
We’re so grateful to welcome you to our Winter 2026 Casa Retreat — a week designed to slow down, reconnect, and arrive more fully into yourself.
Set at Art Villas in Costa Rica, this experience weaves together movement, nature, nourishing meals, rest, and shared moments. Everything has been thoughtfully curated to support both deep relaxation and meaningful connection.
This guide is here to help you feel grounded and prepared as you arrive. While a few details may evolve as we get closer, the heart and rhythm of the retreat will remain the same.
We can’t wait to welcome you home.
With warmth, Lauren & the Casa Retreats Team
Casa Retreats Costa Rica Client Guide
CASA RETREATS · CLIENT GUIDE
Costa Rica · Winter 2026
A few helpful notes to support your arrival — the rest is an invitation to settle in.
Your full itinerary and any personal schedules (massages or excursions) will be shared upon arrival.
01 · ARRIVAL
Getting to Art Villas
Entry basics, airport pickup, and the drive to the property.
- Airport: SJO (Juan Santamaría International) | January 19th, 2026
- Pickup: Drivers outside arrivals with a Casa Retreats sign
- Drive: 3.5 hours + one supermarket stop (snacks, beverages, alcohol if you’d like)
Van assignments
- Van 1: Guests staying in the Art Villa
- Van 2: Guests staying in the Atelier and Coco Pods
Travel & entry requirements
- Tourist visa: Not required for many countries, including the U.S.
- Passport: Valid for at least 6 months.
- Customs: “Wellness retreat” or “vacation” is fine.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi may be intermittent during the drive—download anything you want in advance.
02 · PACKING
Weather, environment & packing
January in Costa Rica offers warm, sunny days with slightly cooler mornings and evenings. We’ll spend plenty of time outdoors — breathable layers, sun protection, and a few simple essentials will help you feel comfortable all week.
Packing essentials
PACKING SUGGESTIONS
Clothing
- Lightweight, breathable clothing (cotton, linen, easy layers)
- Comfortable yoga attire (open-air practice; we recommend enough clothing for atleast 12x sessions)
- Light layers for cooler mornings or evenings (shawl or light sweater)
- Comfortable attire for dinners (dress up if you’d like — completely optional)
- Swimsuits & light cover-ups
- Closed-toed sneakers or hiking shoes (for excursions)
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Light rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
Personal Essentials
- Passport (required for travel)
- Driver’s license (required if joining the ATV excursion)
- Reusable water bottle
- Toiletry bag (shampoo, conditioner & soap are provided)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Mini flashlight for evenings
- Chargers (Costa Rica uses 110V, same as the U.S.)
- Travel-size first aid kit (optional)
- Eye mask & earplugs (recommended for light sleepers)
- Book or light reading for downtime
Sun & Nature
- Reef-safe sunscreen (to help protect the ecosystem)
- Insect repellent (especially for sunrise & sunset)
- Small closed zippered day bag or backpack (great for excursions)
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
Yoga & Wellness
- Yoga clothing suitable for open-air practice
- Mats, blocks & straps will be provided — you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer
Excursions & day trips (what to bring)
EXCURSIONS & DAY TRIPS
Beach towels will be available at the house for excursions. Please be sure to return them after use.
Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
Hiking shoes, swimsuit, extra clothes, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, small closed backpack, camera or phone, reusable water bottle.
Off-site lunch is out-of-pocket and not included — please bring your own money.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Hiking shoes, swimsuit, extra clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, small closed backpack, camera or phone, reusable water bottle.
ATV Adventure
Light clothing, comfortable closed-toed shoes, swimwear, water shoes, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, small closed backpack, reusable water bottle.
Valid driver’s license is required to participate.
03 · WEEK FLOW
Daily rhythm, excursions, and what to expect
Daily rhythm (general)
Each day follows a similar, supportive rhythm designed to honor the flow of the retreat. Exact timing may vary slightly day to day.
- Morning: Gentle and grounding — morning breathwork and yoga, followed by breakfast.
- Midday: Open, spacious time for excursions, massage treatments, workshops, or rest. Lunch is enjoyed in the afternoon.
- Evening: Evenings slow again with a grounding practice, shared dinner, and an optional gathering or activity.
*For guests participating in excursions, morning practices may shift or be abbreviated to accommodate departure times.*
SCHEDULE
The full week’s schedule, including any personalized details, will be shared during your first day.
FREE TIME
Free time is intentionally woven throughout the retreat. Everything is optional — you’re invited to rest, explore, or simply be, and to move at your own pace.
Excursions
On excursion days, departure is typically early (around 8:00 AM). It’s important that we are on time so the group can move together and make the most of the experience.
Most excursions last 4–5 hours. Please plan to bring everything you need to feel comfortable for the day (water, sun protection, appropriate footwear, etc.).
Our transportation team remains on-site for the duration of each excursion. You’re welcome to leave personal items in the vans during the experience. Please avoid bringing valuables.
04 · ON-PROPERTY
Villa notes, housekeeping, food, add-ons, and contact
The villa
Shared spaces, amenities, and a few simple notes to support rest and ease.
AMENITIES
Guests are welcome to enjoy the following throughout the retreat:
- Three pools (each located within its accommodation area)
- Outdoor sauna
- Gym access (including a downstairs gym space)
- Trampolines
YOGA SHALA
Breathwork, yoga, and workshops take place in an open-air, covered yoga shala — shaded, spacious, and connected to nature. Filtered water, mats, blocks, straps, and towels are provided for each class & workshop.
COMMON AREAS & PRIVATE SPACES
Each accommodation area — the Main Art Villa, Atelier, and Coco Pods — has its own shared spaces and pool. Guests are welcome to enjoy the property as a whole, moving through spaces with ease and mindful consideration for others’ rest.
All areas outside of guest rooms are shared spaces. Private rooms and accommodations are reserved for the guests assigned to them.
QUIET HOURS & CONSIDERATION
11:00 PM – 7:30 AM.
To support rest and integration, we kindly ask guests to be mindful of noise in shared spaces during these times, especially near sleeping areas — so everyone can enjoy both connection and quiet throughout the retreat.
Housekeeping, laundry & living in nature
LAUNDRY SERVICE
Laundry service is available for $18 per bag. Each room includes a laundry waiver form—please sign it and place it inside your laundry bag. Leave the bag at the entrance of your room for pickup.
HOUSEKEEPING
Guest rooms and shared common areas are serviced daily. Bed linens are refreshed every 3–4 days during your stay.
TOWELS
Fresh towels will be provided as needed. When a towel is ready to be replaced, please leave it on the floor.
Yoga, sauna, and pool areas each have designated towels. We kindly ask that towels remain within their intended spaces.
Beach towels are available for excursions and must be returned after use. Missing beach towels may incur a $10 replacement fee per towel.
LIVING IN NATURE
Art Villas is immersed in a vibrant natural environment. To help keep wildlife out of guest spaces, please keep doors closed when entering or leaving your room.
When stepping out in the evenings, turning off indoor lights helps conserve energy and minimize insects. These small practices support a peaceful, comfortable stay for everyone.
Food & alcohol
MEALS
All meals are prepared on-site and designed to feel nourishing, satisfying, and supportive. Dietary needs shared with us have been thoughtfully communicated to our culinary team.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is optional and available in limited selection on-site. If you choose to induldge, we strongly recommend purchasing anything specific you’d like during the supermarket stop on arrival day.
*Alcohol is welcome for those who choose it. We simply ask that it’s enjoyed mindfully and with consideration for the shared retreat environment and guests who may not be drinking.*
HYDRATION
Due to the tropical climate, staying hydrated is essential. Water stations will be available throughout the retreat. Please bring a reusable water bottle.
Suggested gratuity
GRATUITY
At the end of the retreat, we recommend a suggested gratuity of $75 USD per person. This is shared across the on-site Art Villas team who helps make the week feel seamless — including gardeners, landscapers, managers, housekeepers, maintenance, and cleaning staff.
On the final day, we’ll leave a basket in the Main Art Villa where you can place your gratuity in an envelope. Any amount is deeply appreciated, and every contribution goes directly to the team.
Thank you for supporting the people who care for the space — and for all of us — throughout the week.
Additional purchases & cash
CASH & PAYMENT
For guests participating in off-site excursions, adding massage treatments, or making personal purchases (including alcohol or items off property), we recommend bringing up to $500 in cash.
There is no ATM on site. U.S. dollars are accepted.
Any additional on-property purchases (such as drinks or snacks) will be tallied by the retreat center and settled via a final invoice before departure. We aim to keep these to a minimum.
Support & contact
ON-SITE SUPPORT
A member of the Casa Retreats team will be on-site 24/7 throughout the week. At least one team member will also be present on every excursion for guidance, coordination, and support.
COMMUNICATION & CARE
We’ll use the designated WhatsApp group for arrival-day updates and group coordination. For anything personal or private, you’re always welcome to reach out directly to any member of the Casa team — including Lauren.
We invite you to listen to your body, honor your boundaries, and communicate openly so we can best support your experience.
HOW TO REACH US
A Closing Note
11 · A CLOSING NOTE
This time is yours.
While we’ve thoughtfully curated this retreat to support your experience, everything offered is optional.
Whether you choose to move, rest, explore, connect, laugh, swim, journal, or simply be — this week is an invitation to listen inward and honor what feels right for you, day by day.
There is no right way to do this retreat. Trust your rhythm. Follow your curiosity. Let yourself enjoy the ease, beauty, and moments of connection as they unfold.
We’re so grateful you’re here — and we can’t wait to share this week with you.